Cyclospora outbreak: ‘Explosive diarrhea parasite’ is spreading in the US; what you must know

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

The outbreak has affected Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, with health officials warning that the true number of cases could be higher. “Individuals who reported being unwell with the infection ranged from 5 to 86 years old, with an average age of 42. Approximately 61% of cases have been seen in females,” notes Healthline.

According to the CDC, “Cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water that was contaminated with feces (stool). It takes at least 1 – 2 weeks in the environment (outside the body) for Cyclospora to become infectious after passing in a bowel movement. Therefore, direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely.”

But what exactly is it? We spoke with experts.

What is cyclosporiasis and how does it spread?

Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD, general medicine, FAIG, Consultant physician at Elite Care Clinic, tells indianexpress.com, “Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with parasite eggs that have matured in the environment. Fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, herbs, and salad ingredients are commonly implicated because they are often eaten raw and may come into contact with contaminated irrigation water or soil during cultivation.”

Routine rinsing under tap water may remove dirt, Dr Reddy says, but it does not reliably eliminate the parasite, making safe agricultural practices and proper food handling equally important in preventing infection.

Dr Jagadish Hiremath, Public Health Intellectual, adds, “Cyclosporiasis is often misunderstood because, unlike many common foodborne infections, the parasite is not usually transmitted directly from one infected person to another. After being excreted, it takes days to weeks in the environment before it becomes infectious. This means contamination typically occurs at the farm level through unsafe water sources or poor sanitation rather than during cooking at home. Since many fruits and vegetables are consumed raw, they can serve as vehicles for infection if contamination occurs before they reach consumers.”

When should you seek medical care?

“Persistent watery diarrhoea lasting more than a few days, signs of dehydration such as dizziness, excessive thirst, reduced urination, rapid heartbeat, severe weakness, or inability to retain fluids should prompt immediate medical attention. Fever, severe abdominal pain, or blood in the stool also warrant evaluation to rule out other serious infections,” shares Dr Reddy.

In individuals with compromised immunity, Dr Hiremath stresses that the infection can be prolonged and recovery may take considerably longer, making timely diagnosis particularly important.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.